The United States, on Wednesday (Jul 24)&nbsp;announced sanctions against a network of around six individuals and five Chinese companies that it claims are involved in North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs.

The so-called&nbsp;network is allegedly assisting North Korea in acquiring materials for its ballistic missile programs, which, according to the US Treasury Department, is a&nbsp;"flagrant violation" of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The ongoing advancement of North Korea's ballistic missile technology "is both irresponsible and destabilising for both the region and the international community," stated&nbsp;Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson.

"The United States remains committed to using our tools to enforce these international sanctions, including disrupting the illicit procurement networks that provide key inputs for these technologies," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-war-criminal-protests-break-out-outside-us-congress-ahead-of-netanyahus-address-743885">‘Arrest war criminal’: Protests break out outside US Congress ahead of Netanyahu’s address</a>

The US Treasury said that North Korea’s space and ballistic missile initiatives rely&nbsp;on a broad "network" of international agents to acquire essential materials, including staff from its diplomatic and trade offices, "as well as third-country nationals."

The US government agency&nbsp;also alleged&nbsp;that North Korea uses foreign companies to buy the necessary items.

In 2017, the UN Security Council imposed various sanctions and condemned&nbsp;Pyongyang due to its missile launches and nuclear tests.

During this period, worries about the extent of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's nuclear ambitions outweighed opposition from Moscow and Beijing.

This led to frequent clashes between Washington's then-UN ambassador Nikki Haley and her Russian and Chinese counterparts, Vassily Nebenzia and Liu Jieyi.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States, on Wednesday (Jul 24) announced sanctions against a network of around six individuals and five Chinese companies that it claims are involved in North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs.

The United States, on Wednesday (Jul 24) announced sanctions against a network of around six individuals and five Chinese companies that it claims are involved in North Korea's ballistic missile and space programs. The so-called network is allegedly assisting North Korea in acquiring materials for its ballistic missile programs, which, according to the US Treasury Department, is a "flagrant violation" of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The ongoing advancement of North Korea's ballistic missile technology "is both irresponsible and destabilising for both the region and the international community," stated Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson. "The United States remains committed to using our tools to enforce these international sanctions, including disrupting the illicit procurement networks that provide key inputs for these technologies," he added. Also read: ‘Arrest war criminal’: Protests break out outside US Congress ahead of Netanyahu’s address The US Treasury said that North Korea’s space and ballistic missile initiatives rely on a broad "network" of international agents to acquire essential materials, including staff from its diplomatic and trade offices, "as well as third-country nationals." The US government agency also alleged that North Korea uses foreign companies to buy the necessary items. In 2017, the UN Security Council imposed various sanctions and condemned Pyongyang due to its missile launches and nuclear tests. During this period, worries about the extent of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's nuclear ambitions outweighed opposition from Moscow and Beijing. This led to frequent clashes between Washington's then-UN ambassador Nikki Haley and her Russian and Chinese counterparts, Vassily Nebenzia and Liu Jieyi. (With inputs from agencies)

US hits Chinese firms with sanctions for aiding North Korea's missile and space programs

South Korean military said that North Korea had fired two ballistic missiles on Friday (December 23). This is latest in the recent flurry of missile launches North Korea has carried out while defying all sanctions.&nbsp;"Our military spotted two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea into the East Sea from the Sunan area of Pyongyang at around 16:32 (0732 GMT) today," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

This year has been unprecedented with respect to number of weapon&nbsp;tests by North Korea. Just last month, the country carried out its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile test.

The powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un also insisted earlier this week that the North had developed advanced technologies to take images from space using a spy satellite. &nbsp;

The tests have attracted condemnation and criticism from the USA and South Korea.&nbsp;

The two countries held a joint air drill on Tuesday, and deployed a US B-52H strategic bomber in the Korean peninsula, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.&nbsp;

The long-range heavy bomber was part of an exercise that included the US and South Korea's most advanced jets -- including the F-22 and the F-35 stealth fighters. &nbsp;

Friday's launch came hours after the White House said that Pyongyang had delivered arms to the Russian private military group Wagner.&nbsp;

Disclosing the delivery on Thursday US time, the White House called Wagner a "rival" for power to the defence and other ministries in the Kremlin.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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South Korean military said that North Korea had fired two ballistic missiles on Friday (December 23). This is latest in the recent flurry of missile launches North Korea has carried out while defying all sanctions.

South Korean military said that North Korea had fired two ballistic missiles on Friday (December 23). This is latest in the recent flurry of missile launches North Korea has carried out while defying all sanctions. "Our military spotted two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea into the East Sea from the Sunan area of Pyongyang at around 16:32 (0732 GMT) today," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. This year has been unprecedented with respect to number of weapon tests by North Korea. Just last month, the country carried out its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile test. The powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un also insisted earlier this week that the North had developed advanced technologies to take images from space using a spy satellite.  The tests have attracted condemnation and criticism from the USA and South Korea. The two countries held a joint air drill on Tuesday, and deployed a US B-52H strategic bomber in the Korean peninsula, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The long-range heavy bomber was part of an exercise that included the US and South Korea's most advanced jets -- including the F-22 and the F-35 stealth fighters.  Friday's launch came hours after the White House said that Pyongyang had delivered arms to the Russian private military group Wagner. Disclosing the delivery on Thursday US time, the White House called Wagner a "rival" for power to the defence and other ministries in the Kremlin. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

North Korea fired two more ballistic missiles today, says South Korea military

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised North Korea&#39;s leader for backing off on plans to fire missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam.

&quot;Kim Jong-Un of North Korea made a very wise and well-reasoned decision.The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!&quot; Trump wrote on Twitter.

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Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/897784898865553409">August 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Trump stunned the world last week by warning North Korea it faced &quot;fire and fury&quot; if it continued to threaten the US or its allies with its ballistic missile program. His impromptu comments while on vacation in New Jersey were interpreted as raising the prospect of a US nuclear attack against North Korea.

The unpredictable and isolated North Korean leader on Tuesday had been briefed by his missile forces on a &quot;plan for an enveloping fire at Guam,&quot; according to the North&#39;s official KCNA news agency.

But afterward, according to KCNA, he decided to postpone the operation to &quot;watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees&quot; and not to go ahead unless the US commits more &quot;reckless actions.&quot;

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said after Kim postponed the threat that Washington remains ready for talks.

But he added that would be up to Kim when such negotiations would begin.

Meanwhile, the head of the US military has asked China to step up pressure on North Korea, Pentagon spokesman reports.&nbsp;

The administration of US President Donald Trump has exhorted China to strong arm its diplomatic ally into dropping its rogue weapons programmes.

China, which is Pyongyang&#39;s main economic partner, announced this week that it was banning imports of iron, iron ore, lead and seafood from North Korea in accordance with new United Nations sanctions.

Meanwhile, the head of the US military has asked China to step up pressure on North Korea, Pentagon spokesman reports

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised North Korea's leader for backing off on plans to fire missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam. "Kim Jong-Un of North Korea made a very wise and well-reasoned decision.The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!" Trump wrote on Twitter. Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2017 × Trump stunned the world last week by warning North Korea it faced "fire and fury" if it continued to threaten the US or its allies with its ballistic missile program. His impromptu comments while on vacation in New Jersey were interpreted as raising the prospect of a US nuclear attack against North Korea. The unpredictable and isolated North Korean leader on Tuesday had been briefed by his missile forces on a "plan for an enveloping fire at Guam," according to the North's official KCNA news agency. But afterward, according to KCNA, he decided to postpone the operation to "watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees" and not to go ahead unless the US commits more "reckless actions." Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said after Kim postponed the threat that Washington remains ready for talks. But he added that would be up to Kim when such negotiations would begin. Meanwhile, the head of the US military has asked China to step up pressure on North Korea, Pentagon spokesman reports. The administration of US President Donald Trump has exhorted China to strong arm its diplomatic ally into dropping its rogue weapons programmes. China, which is Pyongyang's main economic partner, announced this week that it was banning imports of iron, iron ore, lead and seafood from North Korea in accordance with new United Nations sanctions.

Trump praises Kim Jong-Un's 'wise' decision to halt Guam missile test